World Food Safety Day

The first ever World Food Safety Day (WFSD) will be celebrated on 7 June 2019 to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism and sustainable development. (UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation and World Health Organisation 2019).

BSNA is the voice of the specialist nutrition industry in the UK. We are a trade association representing manufacturers of high quality foods designed to meet the needs of people with very special nutritional requirements. Our members produce infant formula, follow on formula, young child formula, complementary weaning foods, gluten-free foods, parenteral nutrition and medical foods for diagnosed disorders and medical conditions.

For this inaugural World Food Safety Day, BSNA joins other stakeholders involved in safe food production, manufacturing operations, and education initiatives to raise global awareness about food safety and its vital role in protecting human health and wellness.

Safe food allows for suitable uptake of nutrients and promotes long-term human development. Safe food production improves sustainability by enabling market access and productivity, which drives economic development and poverty alleviation, especially in rural areas. (FAO and WHO, 2019)

The Codex Alimentarius Commission, managed by FAO and WHO, establishes science-based food standards, guidelines and codes of practice that ensure food safety and quality by addressing contaminants, hygienic practices, labelling, additives, inspection and certification, nutrition and residues of veterinary drugs and pesticides. When governments adopt international standards, farmers and producers are able to meet consumer demands for safe food at the same time gaining access to the global food market. (FAO and WHO, 2019)

BSNA is committed to helping its members understand the challenges being faced in food safety, and to facilitating collaborations and a global platform that can enable an inspired food safety mind-set, sharing of best practices, and harmonized food safety solutions for our sector. We, as representatives of the specialised nutrition sector, are enthused and proud to support the World Food Safety Day 2019.